THE RANVET STAKES
2000m, $700,000, Group One standard weight-for-age for three-year-olds and up at Rosehill
HISTORY
*Originally named after Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson, the Governor of NSW from 1902-1909
* The race was first held in 1903 and won by Great Scot
* In 1921 Richmond Main and Poitrel dead-heated
* High profile past winners include Grand Armee (2005), Tie The Knot (2000-2001), Super Impose (1991), Better Loosen Up (1990), and Beau Zam (1988-1989)
* The 1999 Ranvet Stakes ended in controversy when Tie the Knot was demoted in favour of New Zealand horse Darazari following a protest
* Gai Waterhouse has a superb record in the race having prepared seven winners
* Her father Tommy Smith holds the record with 12 winners
* Since 1987 only four three-year-olds have won: Myocard (1987), Beau Zam (1988), Stony Bay, and Gold Guru (1998)
* The 2018 race was won by Gailo Chop, in the first Sydney Group One victory by now disqualified trainer Darren Weir
TALKING POINTS
* A heavy track is predicted for Saturday's race, after Rosehill copped more than 130mm of rain in the past six days, with even more falling since the track was put out with a heavy rating on Tuesday morning
* Despite TAB reporting good early money for international galloper He's Eminent, James Cummings-trained Avilius is the favourite
WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING
* “I'm convinced he's gone ahead after having done a little too well between his last two runs. He's capable of more on this testing ground against similar opposition”- trainer James Cummings on Godolphin's Avilius.
* “I think she's ticking over well. She handles the cut out of the ground so that will suit her, the 2000 suits and if she's anywhere near her best I expect her to run well” – Egg Tart's jockey Brenton Avdulla.
* “He ran on a heavy track in the Champagne Stakes and he ran fourth. The 1600 metres was a bit short for him that day so you can't really tell. He's super fit. He's got a bad draw to overcome in 15 which is a bit tough but he's got gate speed so you just have to leave it to the jockey and hope you can get in” – Ace High's trainer David Payne
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